Sheet directing means



Nov. 29, 1932- A. BROADMEYER SHEET DIRECTING MEANS Original Filed June 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l dlbert Bro ailflzeyer,

Nov. 29, 1932. A. BROADMEYER 1,889,513

SHEET DIRECTING MEANS ofi inal Filed June 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 14 l bertflmadnzqyer,

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Patented Nov. 29, 1932 u res M ran sTA ALBERT BROADMEYER,-OF HARRISBURG, rnN sYLv NIA, AssIeNoR' TO THE wQo.

HICKOK MANUFACTURING coMrANY, or HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A 00320- RATION or" PENNSYLVANIA SHEET nmnoTING MEANS Original application filed June 10, 1927, SeriaLNo. 197,977. Divided and this application filed December 4, 1929.

The present invention relates tomeans for controlling the movement of sheets, as for example in their passage through instrumentalities or apparatus foroperating on the sheets, the feeding of such sheets to such mechanisms, or theirtransfer from one to the other, etc. This is a division of Serial No. 197,977; V

The object of the present invention is to provide mechanism of a simple and effective character that is controlled by the sheet itself, so that the operation of the mechanism is dependent onthe presence of the sheet and is thus timed by the sheet on its arrival at a predetermined point.

The present embodiment of the'invention is in connection with a ruling machine of the L-type, said invention forming the mechanism for starting the sheets out'of the corner or from the delivery mechanism of the first ruling apparatus to the feeding means of the second ruling apparatus. V v.

Inthe accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view somewhat diagrammatic in its character of a portion of an L-ruling machine, showing the novel mechanism in place therein,

Figure 2 is a rear side elevation of the first half or first ruling apparatusj Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the structure of Figure 1. I

Figure 4is a perspectiveiview of the transfer mechanism 3 7 I Figure 5 1s a vertical sectional vlew of the sheet controlled vent.

Figure 6 is aface" view of the means for varying the vent pressure.

hFigure 7 is a bottom plan view of the vent s 0e. 1 V In the embodiment disclosed, two angularly disposed conveyors are employed,the first comprising a set of rearwardly carrying tapes 14 locatedin the rear portion of a ruling machine 8. The other is an oif-earrying conveyor at right angles tothe tapes 14 and consisting of a set of tapes 25.

The means for causing the transfer of the sheets from the tapes 14 to the tapes constitutes the essential feature of the present invention.

Serial No. 411,629.

ATENT OFFICE A shaft 26 (Figure is located longitudinally of the tapes 14 at one side of the same and is parallel toaroller 27, around which the tapes 25 pass. The shaft 26 and roller 27 are driven in unison by sprocket gearing 28, and the roller 27 in turn is driven by a sprock et chain 29.

g On the shaft 26 is a conveyor member in the form of a starting roller 30, the front that in turn is connected to an adjusting chain 34. p

Secured to the stop bar 32 is a bracket 35 (Figure4),'in which is journaled a rock shaft 36.= This rock shaft carries a crank arm 37, on which is journaled a gripping roller 38. The roller 38 is capable of swinging downwardly into coaction with the starting roller30 and upwardly out of coaction therewith. To this end the rock shaft 36 is provided with another crank arm 39 connected by a link 40 with the rod 41 of a piston 42. The piston is located in a cylinder 43, mounted as Shown at 44'on the stop bar 32. A third crank arm 45, secured to the rock shaft 36, has connected thereto a spring 46 that resists the movement'of the piston 42 in one direction. The said piston 42 and cylinder 43 constitute a pneumatic; motor of the suctiontype.

Connected to the rear end of the cylinder 43 is a suction conduit 47, having at its rear end a T-coupling 48. To one end of said coupling 48 is fitted a flexible suction hose 49 that leadsto the intake end of an exhaust pump'50 (Figure 1), driven through gearing 51 from a shaft 52 belted to a driving iblevent conduit 52 leading to a relief nozzle 53 adjustably bracketed as shown at 54 on the stop bar 32. On the lower end of the nozzle 53 is a forwardly extending upwardly curved shoe 55 provided with one or more vent ports 56 (Figure 7) therethrough that are in communication with the interior of the nozzle 53,- (Figure Said nozzle is furthermore provided in one side with a series of intake ports 57 that may be more or less closed by a rotatable controlling disk 58 having ports 59 adapted to move into and out of alinement with the parts 57. This provides means for varying the force of the air suction that acts on the motor 42-43.

The operation of the mechanism is substantially as follows: Assuming the conveyors are in motion, as long as the relief ports 56 are open, the pneumatic motor 42-43 is idle and the spring 46 is acting to hold the gripping roller 38 elevated or in an idle position. Assuming, however, that sheets are being fed successively through the first ruling apparatus 8, these sheets will be successively delivered from such apparatus by the tapes 14. lVhenever a sheet is carried upon said tapes, it will strike and be stopped by the bar 32. Obviously this will carry the margin of the sheet between the starting roller 30 and the gripping roller 38, the roller 38, as already explained, being in its elevated position, but as the sheet is brought up into contact with the stop bar 32, it will also be brought beneath the shoe 55 and across the relief ports 56, as illustrated in Figure 5, a portion of a sheet being there shown at A. IVhen this occurs, the intake of air through the ports 56 is prohibited, and as a consequence air will be exhausted from the rear end of the cylinder 43, causing the piston 42 to retreat to that end. This, as will be clear by reference to Figure 4, will swing the arm 39, rocking the shaft 36, and causing the gripping roller 38 to move downwardly, thus carrying the margin of the sheet into active contact with the roller 30. The roller 30 is constantly rotating and consequently the sheet will be gripped, and started in a direction at right angles to the conveyor tapes 14, until it is caught by the tapes 25 (Figures 1 and 3) and carried away. It will be noted that this transfer mechanism being all mounted on the stop bar 3:2, is adjustable with the same, so that the mechanism can be properly placed according to the size of the sheet to be operated on. Moreover the force of the suction through the ports 56 can be varied by adjusting the disk 58, so that the mechanism will successfully operate whether the sheets are very heavy or very thin. Furthermore it will be noted that this mechanism is operative irrespective of the surface speed of the starting roller 30, so that said starting roller may be run at different speeds in order that sheets of different sizes will be properly spaced and properly fed to the second mechanism.

With this structure, it will be evident that the operation of the feeding mechanism is under the control of the sheet itself, so that whether sheets be spaced far apart or close together, whether they lag in their travel,

or are advanced, whenever a sheet comes into position, it controls its own start on to the second conveyor 25.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages 1. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination with a constantly moving and normally inoperative sheet moving means, of means normally inactive for making said sheet moving means operative to move a sheet, controlled by one portion of the sheet that is to be moved for causing said sheet moving means to become operative on another portion of such sheet to move it out of coaction with the actuating means.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, 1'

the combination with constantly moving and normally inactive sheet moving means, of normally inactive means for making it active to move asheet, a driver controlled by the sheet that is to be moved thereby for effect- 3 ing the operation of said actuating means to cause the operation of the sheet moving means on such sheet to move 1t out of coaction with the actuating means, and mechanism for carrylng sheets into position to be acted on by the sheet moving means and into a position to operate the controlling means.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a movable sheet gripping device and normally inactive actuating means for moving it, of means controlled by the sheet to be gripped to cause said actuat ing means to move said gripping device to grip and move the sheet out of coaction with the actuating means.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a movable sheet gripping device, of normally inactive means for moving the gripping device, means controlled by the sheet to be gripped to cause the actuating means to operate and move the gripping device, and means for delivering sheets successively to a position to be gripped and also to operate on the controlling means and cause the gripping device to move a sheet out of coaction with the controlling means and permit a succeeding sheet to come into coaction therewith.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor memher and a device movable to and from a position to cause a sheet to contact with and be moved by the conveyor member, normally inactive actuating means for moving the device, and means controlled by the sheet when positioned between the conveyor member and device to set the actuating means in operation to move said device to said position and cause the sheet to be moved out of coaction with the controlling means. a

6. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor member and a device movable to and from a position to cause a sheet to contact with and be moved by the conveyor member, normally inactive actuating means for moving the device, means controlled by the sheet when positioned between the conveyor member'and device to set the actuating means inoperation and thereby move said device'to said position and cause the sheet to be moved by the conveyor member out of coaction with the controlling means, and means for presenting each of successive'sheets in simultaneous re- .lation to said device andcontrolling means.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a constantly moving conveyor member, of a pneumatically operated device for causing a sheet to engage and be moved by the conveyor member, and means "controlled by a sheet positioned to be acted on by the device and conveyor member for 'efiecting the operation of the device and cause the conveyor member to move the sheet out of coaction with the sheet controlled means.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a constantly moving conveyor member and means for operating it,

of a device for causing'a sheet to engage and be moved by the conveyor member, and pneumatic means for operating the device including a relief vent that is controlled by a sheet positioned between the conveyor member and device, said conveyor operating on the sheet to move it out of controlling coaction with the vent.

9. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a constantly moving conveyor member and means for operating it, of a device for causing a sheet to engage and be moved by the conveyor member, pneumatic means for operating the device including a relief vent that is controlled by a sheet positioned between the conveyor member and device, said conveyor operating on the sheet to move it out of controlling coaction with the vent and means for directing successive sheets to cause them to be positioned between the conveyor member and device and to close the vent. 7

10. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination with a sheet conveyor roller,

of a gripping roller movable into and out of coaction therewith, a suction device connected 11. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the-combination with a sheet conveyor roller,

of a gripping roller movable into and out of coaction therewith, a. suction device connected to the gripping roller for operating it, a suction pump having connection wit the suction device and having a relief vent that makes the suction device ineffective, a conveyor for carrying successive sheets to a positionwhere each is between the rollers and across the vent, and means for stopping each sheet in said position.

12. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination with a conveyor roller, of a gripping roller that coacts therewith, a swinging support for the gripping roller, a suction cylinder and piston therein, one

being movable and connected to the swinging support to operate it, a suction pump having an inlet conduit connected to theccylinder,

' said conduit having a relief vent, and a conveyor for carrying sheets to a position between the rollers and across the vent to close the latter and thereby cause an operative suction on the cylinder and piston to swing the support and cause the gripping roller to efieet an operative engagement of a sheet with the conveyor r0ller.

18. In apparatus of the character set forth, the "combination with. means for delivering sheets in one direction to a predetermined position, of means for carrying the sheets in another direction away from the delivery means, and'means controlled by the sheets as they are delivered to cause the carrying off means; to operate on said sheets to carry them away from the delivery means. i

' 14c Injapparatus of-t is character setforth, thecombination with means for delivering sheets in one direction to a predetermined position, of means for carrying the sheets away from the delivery means in a substantiallv right angular direction, and means controlled by the sheets as they are delivered to cause the carrying means to operate on said sheets tocarry them away from the deliv means in said right angular direction.

15. In apparatus of the character set forth. the combination with asheet conveyor, of a stopin the path of the sheets carried by said conveyor, a conveyor for carrying off the sheets intercepted by the stop away from said stop,*and means controlled by such sheets for causing the off-carrying-conveyor to move them away from said stop. 16. In apparatus of the character set forth,

ery 7P the combination with a sheet conveyor, of a normally fixed stop in the path of the sheets carried by said conveyor, and adjustable to different positions along the path of the sheets, a conveyor for carrying the sheets intercepted by the stop away from said stop, and means adjustable with the stop and controlled by such sheets for causing the carrying conveyor to move them away from the sto i r 1%. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor, of a stop in the path of the sheets carried by said conveyor and adjustable to different positions along the path of the sheets, a conveyor for carrying the sheets intercepted by the stop away from said stop, and means mounted on and adjustable with the stop and controlled by such sheets for causing the carrying conveyor to move them away from the stop.

18. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor, of a second conveyor member for moving the sheets brought by the first conveyor in angular relation to their initial path of movement, means for stoppingthe sheets on the first conveyor when they are in associated relation to the second conveyor member, and means controlled by the sheet so stopped for causing the second conveyor member to operate on the stopped sheets and carrying them off.

19. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor, of' a second conveyor member for moving the sheets brought by the first conveyor in an gular relation to their initial path of movement, means for stopping the sheets on the first conveyor when they are in associated relation to the second conveyor member, a

device for gripping the stoppedsheets to the conveyor member, and means controlled by the stopped sheets for operating the gripping device. 7

20. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet conveyor, of a second conveyor roller for moving the sheets brought by the first conveyor in angular relation to their initial path of movement, means for stopping the sheets on the first conveyor when they are in associated relation to the roller, a device for gripping the stopped sheets to the roller, and pneumatic means for operating the gripping device including a relief port closed by sheets intercepted by the stop. 7

21. Means for controlling the movement of a sheet comprising a sheet gripping device, a pneumatic motor for operating the device, means for venting the motor to hold it inactive, and means for presenting a sheet to the gripping device and to a position to cause it to close the vent and thereby make the motor active.

22. Means for controlling the movement of a sheet comprising a sheet gripping device, a pneumatic motor for operating the device, means for venting the motor to hold it inactive, means for presenting a sheet to the gripping device, and to a position to cause it to close the vent and thereby make the motor active, and means for Varying the force of the medium that acts on the motor.

23. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a conveyor for sheets, of constantly operating means for removing the sheets from the conveyor, and mechanism including a motor for causing the removing means to act on the sheets, and a controlling device for the motor operated by the sheets carried by the conveyor when said sheets are in posit-ion to be removed by the removing means.

24. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a conveyor for sheets, of constantly operating means for removing the sheets from the conveyor, and mechanism including a pneumatic suction motor for causing the removing means to act on the sheets, and a vent shoe for the motor traversed by the sheets and having its vent closed thereby.

25. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a conveyor for sheets, of constantly operating and normally inactive means for removing the sheets from the conveyor, and mechanism including a pneumatic suction motor for causing the removing means to act on the sheets, a vent shoe for the motor traversed by the sheets and having its vent closed thereby, and means for varying the strength of the suction through the vent shoe. Y

In testimony whereof, I afi'ix my signature.

ALBERT BROADMEYER. 

